The Grotto is a series of intricate cave structures carved from ancient limestone with a natural pool of clear turquoise water. You can walk along a ledge inside its cavity or take a swim inside.
Located near Tobermory, it’s Bruce County’s most popular attraction, visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year from all over the world.
The Grotto is located along the Georgian Bay shoreline in Bruce Peninsula National Park. To get to it, take the Cyprus Lake Road entrance to the park. You’ll leave your car in the parking lot between Cyprus Lake and Horse Lake. Then, you’ll hike for about 45 minutes on the Georgian Bay Trail and a short section of the Bruce Trail. Along the way, you’ll see diverse wetlands, ancient cedar trees spiralling off cliff-edges, and a multitude of orchids, ferns, and birds.
When is the best time to visit the Grotto?
To avoid the crowds, early spring or late fall is the best time to visit. Bruce Peninsula National Park is busy from mid-June to mid-September and on weekends from May through October. July, August, and holiday weekends are very busy.
All visitors need to make a parking reservation in advance. When the Grotto is fully booked, there is no more access that day. Expect traffic, long wait times and full parking lots.
How can I make a parking reservation at the Grotto?
Before you visit, reserve your parking spot online or call 1-877-RESERVE. You’ll need to set up an account when you use the reservation service.
The fee to park at Bruce Peninsula National Park is $11.70 per vehicle plus the reservation fee ($6.00 online, $8.50 by phone).
Driving in and dropping off visitors is not allowed. All vehicles require a valid permit to enter each area of the park.
